Kota Kinabalu: City Hall has plans to upgrade the Prince Phillip Park in Tanjung Aru, according to Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir.

"However, because of limited funds, the plans haven't been carried out yet," he said at the launching of the "A day with the friends of the city" programme, Saturday.

"As such, I hope City Hall's application for funding for the management of the park this year from the National Landscape Department and the application for funding to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government for the upgrade of the park will receive due attention so that we can improve the existing situation," he said.

"Prince Philip Park is synonymous with the citizens of Kota Kinabalu City not only because of its position by the Tanjung Aru seaside but also because it is the first park built in the city.

"Built in the 1960s, the area is divided into three zones, that is Prince Philip Park which occupies 15 acres, First Beach Tg Aru with 10 acres and Third Beach with 10 acres.

"The number of visitors to Tanjung Aru beach is estimated to be 3,000 people every weekend and public holiday."

The "A day with the friends of the city" programme featured an aerobics exercise session and afterwards a clean-up of the beach area, park grounds and painting of the park rest huts by the members of the 'Friends of the City'.